Ah, hats—a little piece of fabric perched atop your head that can instantly transform you from “meh” to “magnificent.” But let’s be real: hats have been on a rollercoaster of style since humans first figured out that putting something on your head could make you look cooler—or at least, keep you from sunburning into a lobster.
For men, it all started with the fedora. Once the epitome of sophistication, it was the hat of choice for everyone from Indiana Jones to your grandfather when he was trying to impress your grandmother. But the fedora fell from grace faster than a toupee in a windstorm. Nowadays, if you see a guy in a fedora, he’s either an actual private detective (unlikely) or someone who definitely starts his emails with “Dear Sir or Madam.”
Meanwhile, women were rocking some truly outrageous headwear back in the day. The 19th century had bonnets so large they could double as sun umbrellas, and let’s not forget the 1940s pillbox hats—because nothing says “I’m fashionable” like balancing a tiny hat on your head like a plate at a Greek wedding. Today, women’s hats have scaled back considerably. The beret has had a comeback—or take the ubiquitous wide-brimmed hat, which has become the Instagram influencer’s best friend.
Then there’s the current hat trend for both genders: the dad cap. Once the domain of middle-aged men mowing their lawns has ascended to the peak of casual fashion. Worn backwards, forwards, or even sideways, the dad cap says, “I’m laid-back, I’m cool, and I probably have a Spotify playlist filled with indie bands you’ve never heard of.”
So, whether you’re donning a fedora or a dad cap, just remember: fashion is cyclical, and one day, even the most cringe-worthy hat could become cool again. After all, if bell-bottoms can make a comeback, anything is possible!
